Latest news with #PECOWaystoSave
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
PECO offers financial incentives that help businesses save energy and money
As the cost of doing business continues to rise, many businesses are seeking ways to reduce expenses while maintaining profitability. PECO, Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas delivery company, supports businesses large and small with financial incentives and technical expertise to help them take control of their energy use and save money. 'Across the board, whether it's buying new equipment, rising energy prices, or the maintenance of facilities, things are costing more,' said Jeff Byers, senior energy efficiency program manager with PECO. 'Businesses of all sizes and from any industry can benefit from implementing energy-efficiency measures.' Through the PECO Ways to Save Program, customers have access to energy-saving strategies and incentives on energy-efficient products and technology that allow businesses to run more effectively with reliable, cost-saving equipment. This includes interior and exterior lighting, HVAC systems, motors and drives, compressed air systems, solar installations, custom solutions, and other energy-efficient equipment as part of new construction. An important aspect of the program involves working with PECO trade allies, contractors that have been trained in the PECO Ways to Save solutions and incentives. They can perform complimentary energy analyses of facilities to identify energy-savings opportunities. 'Our trade allies help get the wheels turning on the projects,' Byers said. 'We want our customers to know that we can connect them with right resources to make these projects a reality.' The PECO Ways to Save Program incentives are available to commercial customers until May 31, 2026. A full list of incentives can be accessed online. From education and healthcare to property management and retail, organizations across a wide range of industries are benefiting from PECO's expertise and incentives. 'All of our commercial customers can benefit,' Byers said. 'Any PECO business customer is eligible to take advantage of these incentive programs and our expertise to implement energy-efficiency measures.' For example, a longtime Philadelphia deli recently installed new LED lighting and fixtures. Thanks to the incentives, the project cost significantly less than the original estimate and the energy savings for the deli are equivalent to the cost of about 817 Italian hoagies per year. Similarly, a real estate company that owns and operates an office high-rise in downtown Philadelphia worked with PECO to help tenants implement energy-efficiency projects and improve facilities. This resulted in annual energy savings of 820,995 kilowatt-hours and cost savings of nearly six figures annually. How to get started on a path to energy savings There is a simple four-step process for working with the PECO Ways to Save program to uncover energy-savings opportunities: Verify project eligibility via a complimentary energy assessment by contacting an energy expert at 844-424-9728 or online. Fill out a pre-approval application to reserve funds and submit it online or via email, mail or fax. Work with a contractor or PECO trade ally to complete the project. Once the project is finished, the contractor will submit a final application, which will be reviewed by a PECO Ways to Save engineer for verification before the incentive is issued. Energy-efficiency upgrades are a smart investment in a business's long-term success that can extend equipment life, lower maintenance costs and provide a more productive environment with health advantages for employees and customers. Energy efficiency programs can also improve workplace safety and have a positive impact on the community, the environment, and corporate sustainability efforts. To begin the journey to energy savings, connect with a PECO Ways to Save program representative at 844-424-9728 or via this form. Use less energy, reduce operating costs, improve workplace safety and have a positive impact in your community. Connect with a PECO Ways to Save expert today to take control of your business's energy use and save more money for the things that matter most: PECO Business Solutions or 844-4BIZ-SAVE (844-424-9728). Working with your contractor or a PECO Trade Ally is the best way to ensure your project qualifies for financial incentives from PECO. Call 844-4BIZ-SAVE (844-424-9728) or contact us at PECO Business Solutions. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO serves more than 1.7 million electric and 553,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. The company is using new approaches and investments to help ensure safe and reliable service while providing customers increased control, access and convenience. The company continues to strengthen the community and build the local economy to help the region thrive, while being accountable to the environment through thoughtful investments and initiatives. Laura Newpoff is a freelance writer with The Business Journals Content Studio.
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Considering solar for your business? Here's what you need to know
A growing number of businesses are turning to solar power to help offset energy costs and be good environmental stewards. As Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas provider, PECO has both the financial incentives and technical expertise to help its businesses large and small begin converting sunlight into electricity. By combining the company's incentives with federal or state tax credits, businesses can recover some of the up-front cost of the solar energy system to shorten the payback period. 'The increasing cost of doing business and growing sustainability trends, like decarbonization and vehicle electrification, are major factors contributing to solar adoption in the business community,' said Brett Riley, senior energy efficiency program manager for PECO. 'Companies also have a growing interest in sustainable business practices and alternative energy commitments. Going solar could also help advance their energy-efficiency goals.' According to Riley, trade allies bring expertise to the program and facilitate the completion of projects. These contractors are trained in the PECO Ways to Save solutions and incentives, including solar power. Working with a trade ally is the best way to ensure a project qualifies for PECO financial incentives. 'We've developed relationships with a wide variety of contractors and service providers in our territory who are trained to perform energy efficiency work on behalf of our program,' Riley said. 'When working with a trade ally, our customers can be sure they are the most qualified provider to bring these projects to life.' Helping customers transition to cleaner energy options is a key priority in PECO's Path to Clean. By supporting customers and communities in their climate goals, PECO is powering the Greater Philadelphia Region's transition to a cleaner energy future. This can be seen in the recent work that PECO completed with a local school district serving more than 5,000 K-12 students to make significant upgrades to its buildings. Improvements included fixing and upgrading solar panel systems on the middle and high school roofs, which now generate an estimated 30 percent of the energy needed for the buildings. 'Solar is a great option to offset even a portion of your electric needs. It doesn't matter how big or small a building is,' Riley said. 'All types of businesses and organizations are using solar to boost energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.' Businesses with land can do even more. By installing a large solar array, commercial customers could create their own solar power plant, which can be an additional source of revenue. Getting started with solar Solar is part of PECO's energy-efficiency program designed to help businesses save on their operating costs by also improving interior and exterior lighting, upgrading HVAC equipment and increasing the efficiency of compressed air systems. There is a four-step process for working with PECO to uncover energy-savings opportunities. A solar contractor submits the interconnection service agreement to PECO's Green Power Connect interconnection team and installs the solar system. Once the system is in service and the contractor receives 'permission to operate,' the contractor submits the pre-approval application with the PECO Ways to Save program. A PECO engineer collects proper documentation plus two-to-three months of data to verify solar production. The customer receives the incentive, which is $0.10/kWh of net electric production over a one-year period. As a first step, Riley recommends completing this form or connecting with a PECO representative at 844-424-9728. By taking advantage of financial incentives for reducing energy use by going solar, businesses can not only save money but also play an important role in building a sustainable future. Considering solar energy as part of your business's future? From tax credit resources to incentives and more, our PECO Ways to Save Program is your source for all things solar. Learn more. Working with your contractor or a PECO Trade Ally is the best way to ensure your project qualifies for financial incentives from PECO. Call 844-4BIZ-SAVE (844-424-9728) or contact us at PECO Business Solutions. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO serves more than 1.7 million electric and 553,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. PECO is using new approaches and investments to help ensure safe and reliable service while providing customers increased control, access and convenience. The company continues to strengthen the community and build the local economy to help the region thrive, while being accountable to the environment through thoughtful investments and initiatives.
